Tabletop Gaming, Reimagined: Board Review
For the first time in a while, I've had to wrestle with the urge to splurge on a new gadget. That's exactly what happened when I first laid eyes on the Board – a 24-inch tabletop tablet that promises to bring gaming into the living room.
At $700, it's undoubtedly an investment. The device itself is a sturdy, wooden-framed beast that's designed to be taken out of its box and onto your dining table or coffee table for hours of fun with family and friends. The addition of speakers means you can play games without having to reach for a separate sound system – though, it's worth noting, the cable is woefully short.
But what really makes Board tick is the array of physical pieces that come with each game. These aren't your typical board game components; instead, they're miniature figurines and accessories designed to be slid around on the touchscreen like tiny Legos. It's this tactile element that sets Board apart from your run-of-the-mill tablet gaming setup.
There are currently 12 games available for purchase on Board, ranging from frenetic co-op shooters to cerebral strategy titles. While my household kids found a few of them mildly amusing, they failed to grasp the addictive hook that keeps gamers hooked. In fact, several family and friends were underwhelmed by the experience – though, it's clear younger children (6-10) would be able to appreciate Board more.
While I'm not entirely sold on the device just yet, there is a certain charm to watching my kids try to coordinate their movements to beat a game like Chop Chop. This take on the Overcooked series uses tiny cleavers, sponges, and spoons as tools for delivering orders in a digital restaurant setting – it's a surprisingly fun experience.
Board is also notable for its ambition; with a focus on social gaming that can be played locally without an internet connection. Wi-Fi does play a role in downloading new titles and updates, but online multiplayer seems like a non-starter at this point – though the developers are open to adding more features down the line.
If you're an arcade enthusiast looking for something unique or have kids who'd love an interactive way of playing digital games, Board is worth a look. For now, it's expensive, and its novelty wears off with repeated playtime; still, I'm hopeful that some third-party developers will come up with more compelling experiences to make the full potential of this device shine through.
For the first time in a while, I've had to wrestle with the urge to splurge on a new gadget. That's exactly what happened when I first laid eyes on the Board – a 24-inch tabletop tablet that promises to bring gaming into the living room.
At $700, it's undoubtedly an investment. The device itself is a sturdy, wooden-framed beast that's designed to be taken out of its box and onto your dining table or coffee table for hours of fun with family and friends. The addition of speakers means you can play games without having to reach for a separate sound system – though, it's worth noting, the cable is woefully short.
But what really makes Board tick is the array of physical pieces that come with each game. These aren't your typical board game components; instead, they're miniature figurines and accessories designed to be slid around on the touchscreen like tiny Legos. It's this tactile element that sets Board apart from your run-of-the-mill tablet gaming setup.
There are currently 12 games available for purchase on Board, ranging from frenetic co-op shooters to cerebral strategy titles. While my household kids found a few of them mildly amusing, they failed to grasp the addictive hook that keeps gamers hooked. In fact, several family and friends were underwhelmed by the experience – though, it's clear younger children (6-10) would be able to appreciate Board more.
While I'm not entirely sold on the device just yet, there is a certain charm to watching my kids try to coordinate their movements to beat a game like Chop Chop. This take on the Overcooked series uses tiny cleavers, sponges, and spoons as tools for delivering orders in a digital restaurant setting – it's a surprisingly fun experience.
Board is also notable for its ambition; with a focus on social gaming that can be played locally without an internet connection. Wi-Fi does play a role in downloading new titles and updates, but online multiplayer seems like a non-starter at this point – though the developers are open to adding more features down the line.
If you're an arcade enthusiast looking for something unique or have kids who'd love an interactive way of playing digital games, Board is worth a look. For now, it's expensive, and its novelty wears off with repeated playtime; still, I'm hopeful that some third-party developers will come up with more compelling experiences to make the full potential of this device shine through.